Primary Supervisor: Dr Xuming Zhang (University of Warwick)

Secondary Supervisor: Professor Bruno Frenguelli

Start date and duration: 4 years from 3 October 2022

Funding: The project is fully funded for four years including tuition fees in full and an annual stipend of at least £15,609 (tax free paid monthly in advance).

Application deadline: 30 June 2022

Project description:

Chronic pain is a prevalent health issue affecting over one third of the population in the UK. It is one of the leading causes of morbidity and disability. There is a considerable need to understand how chronic pain is evolved in order to develop efficacious therapies for the treatment of chronic pain. The Ph.D studentship provides you an excellent opportunity to delve into this topical question and allows you to develop comprehensive research skills.

Pain signals are generated from sensory nerve endings and then transmitted to the spinal cord and brain where they are further processed and interpreted. Abnormal pain signal generation and processing is a key process underlying chronic pain. It involves altered functions of nociceptors and transducers and gene dysregulation. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have specialised function of translating harmful stimuli into electrical signals. In addition to acting as a pain signal generator, TRP channels are also involved in pain signal transmission and pain gene dysregulation. In this Ph.D research programme, you will investigate the role of TRP ion channels in the generation, transmission and regulation of chronic pain. We will generate inflammatory and neuropathic pain models and assess pain behaviour. We will then isolate sensory neurons and associated tissues to probe the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underpin chronic pain. For these experiments, combinational approaches will be used including Ca2+ imaging, electrophysiology, histology, immunohistochemistry, qPCR, RNA-Seq, Western blotting and gene manipulations.

You will be able to engage our cutting-edge research and have excellent opportunities to learn multi-disciplinary knowledge (neuroscience, pharmacology and cell biology) and a range of interdisciplinary techniques in a vibrant and stimulating environment in the purpose-built interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building (IBRB) at the Gibbet Hill Campus of the School of Life Sciences at the University of Warwick.

Key experimental skills involved: Calcium imaging, electrophysiology, western blotting, behaviour, qPCR, histology and cell culture.

References:

1. Hasan, R. & Zhang, X. Ca(2+) Regulation of TRP Ion Channels. International journal of molecular sciences 19 (2018).
2. Bautista, D.M., Pellegrino, M. & Tsunozaki, M. TRPA1: A gatekeeper for inflammation. Annu. Rev. Physiol 75, 181-200 (2013).

Zhang Lab:

The Zhang lab is interested in the mechanisms of chronic pain and the role of ion channels such as TRP channels and sodium channels in somatosensory physiology. To learn more about the research interests in the group under https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci/people/xzhang/

Eligibility

The University’s standard entry requirements are as follows:

• You must hold an upper second class UK honours degree (2:1) or M.Sc. in an appropriate discipline or equivalent - Overseas Qualifications: UK equivalencyLink opens in a new window
• You must be able to provide 2 satisfactory academic references
• Submit an English Language test certificateLink opens in a new window Link opens in a new windo(if appropriate). Please note: It is a requirement that overseas students will show that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficiently high for them to derive the full benefit from the PhD. Please note that the requirement for admission is IELTS 6.5 (with no component below 6.0) or equivalent. More information can be found at:

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/english/

How to apply

• Informal project enquiries can be made to Dr Xuming Zhang via email:
• Complete the online application formLink opens in a new window - selecting course code: P-C1PB - PhD Life Sciences
• Upload a transcript from your current or previous study and any other documents that you feel would support your application.
• Ask your referees to submit a reference for you. Note: when you submit your application, an email will automatically be sent to your referees requesting a reference for you. This email will contain a secure link for your referee to upload a reference for you.
• The deadline for applications is 30 June 2022

For further information about applying to Warwick see the application FAQ'sLink opens in a new window page.